How to tell if ES350 has Levingston System (visually)
12-14-10, 03:59 PM
#1
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How to tell if ES350 has Levingston System (visually)
I'm looking around for a used 2009 or maybe even used 2010 ES350 with GPS.
I found actually many around. But none of the descriptions tell specifically that is has the Mark Levingston Audio System.
Is that a rare find to have Levingston in an ES350? Or if a GPS is present does it have Levingston automatically with Navi System?
Is there an icon or something I can look at the dash to identify from the pictures whether it has the Levingston system or not?
Also is the Levingston that much better then the stock Lexus sudio system in the ES350?
I found actually many around. But none of the descriptions tell specifically that is has the Mark Levingston Audio System.
Is that a rare find to have Levingston in an ES350? Or if a GPS is present does it have Levingston automatically with Navi System?
Is there an icon or something I can look at the dash to identify from the pictures whether it has the Levingston system or not?
Also is the Levingston that much better then the stock Lexus sudio system in the ES350?
12-14-10, 04:10 PM
#2
Usually - when you see the nav screen, it has the Mark Levinson sound system. If it has the panorama sunroof, you found the Ultra model and it has the sound system you are looking for.
I would not order / have one without the system. Rivals many home systems.
I would not order / have one without the system. Rivals many home systems.
12-14-10, 05:21 PM
#3
Lexus Champion
Not sure if you are looking at Lexus CPO's or not but I seem to remember if you drill down into the options on most CPO listings they usually say if the car has Mark Levinson. If not, it probably doesn't.
12-14-10, 08:21 PM
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CPO = ?
Also I've been looking at cars .com and dont seems to see any ES350 with LM system, many with Navi. maybe because no one knows how to post it properly online?
Also I've been looking at cars .com and dont seems to see any ES350 with LM system, many with Navi. maybe because no one knows how to post it properly online?
12-15-10, 04:05 AM
#6
Went on e-bay motors. There are some listings that describe the ML System and they are all Ultra package versions. Look for the Ultra's special multi spoke wheels in the pictures. They all came with Navigation and ML systems.
12-15-10, 05:09 AM
#7
I can't really help you for sure on this generation, but the ML feature was also something that I absolutely had to have when I was shopping just a couple months ago. My observation was that I never saw an '05-06 with ML that also didn't have NAV, but I did see a few with NAV that didn't have ML. There should be a logo on the dash that tells you if it's part of the package, should be visible if the photos are decent.
The other thing I learned is to not trust any dealer listings. They lie all the time, tell you a car has a feature, but when you get there, it's not there. Anything to get you on the lot, then try to talk you out of wanting it. They also have no idea what "loaded" means.
The other thing I learned is to not trust any dealer listings. They lie all the time, tell you a car has a feature, but when you get there, it's not there. Anything to get you on the lot, then try to talk you out of wanting it. They also have no idea what "loaded" means.
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12-15-10, 05:28 AM
#8
ML came with the ultra package but was special order with the base model even if you got nav. You can also look in the trunk for the ML amp . Also there is the ML signature under the CD slot. and last is look under the rear deck to find the large woofer .
12-15-10, 05:42 AM
#9
Lexus Champion
12-15-10, 08:13 AM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
When looking for mine I noticed these things:
Ultra Luxury is easily distinguished by the Panoramic roof (wheels are easily switched, but can tell there too) - therefore it'll have Nav and the ML.
If it has NAV, but not UL don't expect to see the ML system - BUT it usually is equipped with other features like parking sensors, rear shade, water sensing wipers, auto level/swivel headlights inc. HID, memory seat on passenger side and possibly the extending cushion on the drivers seat <- this is tough to tell on ebay pics since photos of that button on the side of the seat are rarely taken. My ES has all these features.
The other usual way I see them is w/o NAV and w/o the other features listed above, but I can't recall seeing an ES350 without the HID lights, even though I'm pretty sure it was considered an option and not standard equipment.
FYI - this is more for the 07/08 model years since this is what I was in the market for at the time.
Bottom line is - don't count on finding a car with ML system unless it also has the UL package. At the time these were tough to find... if the price was reasonable, it had a boatload of miles. Even though I wish I had the ML sound system, I'm glad to have picked up a car with 36k miles instead of 70k miles.
Ultra Luxury is easily distinguished by the Panoramic roof (wheels are easily switched, but can tell there too) - therefore it'll have Nav and the ML.
If it has NAV, but not UL don't expect to see the ML system - BUT it usually is equipped with other features like parking sensors, rear shade, water sensing wipers, auto level/swivel headlights inc. HID, memory seat on passenger side and possibly the extending cushion on the drivers seat <- this is tough to tell on ebay pics since photos of that button on the side of the seat are rarely taken. My ES has all these features.
The other usual way I see them is w/o NAV and w/o the other features listed above, but I can't recall seeing an ES350 without the HID lights, even though I'm pretty sure it was considered an option and not standard equipment.
FYI - this is more for the 07/08 model years since this is what I was in the market for at the time.
Bottom line is - don't count on finding a car with ML system unless it also has the UL package. At the time these were tough to find... if the price was reasonable, it had a boatload of miles. Even though I wish I had the ML sound system, I'm glad to have picked up a car with 36k miles instead of 70k miles.
12-16-10, 09:45 AM
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Plus...in UL there's a small antenna on top of the trunk. I don't know why Lexus put it there, but for sure that's also easy indicator to tell UL apart from others.
